Link Your Ink

I was so excited when Cassie announced this link-up. I love seeing people's tattoos and hearing the stories behind them. The meaning behind my tattoo is a favorite of mine to tell, but let's start with the story about how it got on my wrist to begin with.

I had been wanting a tattoo since I was about 16. My mom had just gotten hers, and I desperately wanted a butterfly on my shoulder. But alas, I was too young. So I waited. A few years pass, and my tattoo dreams where still strong. I had the chance once, but I totally chickened out. Good thing too because I would be stuck with a generic pink butterfly on my shoulder.

Fast forward to my early twenties. I no longer want a butterfly, I want the word "faith" on my wrist. I would doodle it there in pen while I was at work, I tried out different fonts, I researched tattoo shops, but you have to have money to get one and I was fresh out. Rent, food, and bills kinda take priority. Adult responsibilities suck sometimes.

In my mid twenties I was introduced to wonderful time suck world of Pinterest. There I found so many beautiful tattoos and pinned them all! One day I came across the perfect tattoo design that took my little idea up a notch. I saved it to my phone and daydreamed about the day I had the spare cash to get it. Then my tattoo godmother (aka by BFF Melissa M - not my Llama Melissa) decided we were getting best friend tattoos for my 26th birthday. I showed her what I'd been wanting, and she loved it! Mel consulted Siri for local tattoo shops and we chose one.

About an hour later I was watching Mel get my sweet little design inked on her hip. She lay there like it was no big deal; like she could take a nap or something. Granted, she already had a few tattoos before this, so she knew what to expect. Then it was my turn. I was terrified. The sound of the tattoo machine was making me nervous and the artist playfully kicked it on at me a few times to desensitize me to the sound. He patiently waited for me to offer him my arm and calm down. I tried to watch at first, but I couldn't. I ended up turning around and watching some cartoon show on the TV in the room. It didn't hurt as much as I was expecting it to, but I won't say it was painless.

I am very proud of myself for overcoming my fear and getting the tattoo I'd been dreaming of for years. It means a lot to me, and when Mel wanted it too, that meaning grew even more. You see, my Gramma used to say this to me: "Amanda, you just gotta have faith. Faith in the Lord, faith in your family, but most of all, you gotta have faith in yourself." Now, every time I look down at my wrist I hear those words and I remember that Melissa is apart of the family I chose for myself and she will always be there for me, like I am for her.

Do you have a tattoo? What's the meaning behind it?

Linking up with

Sunday Social

It's Sunday! As always, I'm linking up with Neely and Ashely for Sunday Social. Give them a holler and check out the other lovelies that participate as well!

Before we start, it would totally make my day if you followed and liked me on all those silly social media things we like to partake in. Thanks in advance!

     

1. What was your best birthday?
My favorite birthday has to be the one where my best friend and I got tattoos and started our own business. I'd been wanting a tattoo for years, and she decided we were just gonna do it. And we did and I love it. The next day, we were talking about work and she suddenly suggested we partner up and start out own business. After a wine induced brainstorming session, we decided on a name, Innovate Events and Consulting, and a doodled up a logo on a little dry erase board I had.

2. What was your best vacation?
The last family vacation to Hilton Head, SC. I went parasailing for the first time and I freaking loved it! Not to mention all the quality time with the fam.

3. Best date you’ve ever been on?
Probably the most recent one Philip and I went on: The Ha Ha Tonka Hiking Trip.
A close second would be that guy that took me to the Georgia Aquarium because I had said I'd never been there, or an aquarium at all for that matter.

My two favoritest pictures I ever took at the Georgia Aquarium

4. Best Movie(quality) you’ve seen?
The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Seriously. Great acting. Beautiful landscapes. Amazing CGI. They are only getting better as they go.

"I'm going on an adventure!!" - Via

5. Best TV show ending of all time?
I don't watch much TV anymore and was never able to stick with a show from beginning to end in real time. And the ones I do watch now haven't ended, thank God.

That's all for this week. Until next week!